Olympiacos nearly pulled off a shock in Piraeus, but Real Madrid held on to a 4-3 victory in one of the most thrilling group-stage matches of the Champions League season. Kylian Mbappe stole the show with a remarkable four-goal haul, while Vinicius Junior’s creativity proved decisive in Los Blancos’ comeback.
The hosts struck first through Chiquinho, before Mbappe scored a sensational seven-minute hat-trick, turning the match around with goals in the 22nd, 24th, and 29th minutes. Olympiacos refused to fold, with Mehdi Taremi and Ayoub El Kaabi bringing the Greek side back into contention in the second half. Despite their valiant fight, Madrid managed to cling onto their win.
After the game, Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar described the clash as “crazy” and admitted that Madrid “gave us a lifeline” late in the match. He praised his players for never giving up, saying, “Anything could have happened. The result is what matters; we did what we could and we never gave up. That’s the most important thing for us.”
Mendilibar also provided a tactical breakdown, explaining why Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are so dangerous: their ability to rest while Olympiacos pressed, combined with deadly efficiency in transition, made them a constant threat. “When they win the ball back, they’re fresh to make runs behind the defense, and then, they convert almost every chance they get,” he said.
The match highlighted the drama and unpredictability of the Champions League, showing why Madrid’s star duo are among the most feared attackers in world football. For Olympiacos, the fightback proved their spirit, while Madrid walked away with all three points—but not without a scare.
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